Rough Call

21 March 2013 05:20

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Physiology could work to Scotland's advantage

Alan Rough believes the hype surrounding Wales superstar Gareth Bale could work in the Scots' favour on Friday. The build-up to Friday's World Cup qualifier has been focused on what the Tottenham forward will do, not least because he scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Scotland in Cardiff in October. However, former Partick Thistle and Hibs 'keeper Rough claims Gordon Strachan could use Bale's status in the return game to help win his first competitive game as Scotland manager.Rough, who was capped 53 times for Scotland, said: "All I hear about Wales is Gareth Bale. I take that as a positive because they are relying on him so much. It is a one-man team. I think Gordon Strachan will be able work that to our advantage. If they think he is the only player who is going to trouble us then I think that is a good thing."Qualification looks a tough proposition for either country. Scotland have two points from four games and prop up the table while the Welsh are one place higher thanks to their win in Cardiff. Rough joked when asked about the claim of former Manchester United and Wales wide-man Mickey Thomas, who was quoted as saying this is the "worst" Scotland team ever. Rough said: "Obviously he never saw any of Berti Vogts' teams. We went through a bad spell but I think we are more organised. We have more players playing down in England. I know we talked that up for the last game in Wales and that didn't happen but I think it will turn. The priority is to win games and get us out of the qualification pots that we are in. Every game we win takes us up the rankings."